DURING BREAKFAST, I can’t take my eyes off the beautiful woman sitting at our kitchen island. Everything she does is perfect, even when she’s stuttering out something that makes her feel awkward.
It makes me want to strip her back down to nothing and worship her until she begs me to stop. And based on the way Rhett can’t stop looking at her either, he feels the same way.
That’s probably what causes the words to come out of my mouth. I know how I feel, and I know how Elliot and Rhett feel as well. And I’m just not ready to let her go yet.
Still, even as I say them, I feel like I’m handing her a gun and giving her permission to shoot me.
“Stay the weekend.”
Rhett almost chokes on his orange juice. I’m grateful Wren doesn’t have anything in her mouth, because based on the look on her face, she would’ve had a similar reaction.
“All weekend?” She looks between me and Rhett with surprise.
That was the stupidest thing you’ve ever said, Oliver. She probably has plans.
“Yes.”
She blinks. Tilts her head again.
Rhett’s hand slides across the counter, taking hers. “Only if you want to, sweetheart. But if you’re doubting whether we want you here for the next two days, trust me—we do.”
Her thumb rubs across the back of his hand, and she looks between us again. “I don’t have any clothes. Or my facewash, or—”
“Perfect excuse for a shopping trip!” I grin, and Rhett throws me a look that says, Give her a chance to say no.
“A shopping trip? I can just run home.”
“How about both?”
She rolls her eyes. “I work at a coffee shop, Oliver.”
It takes a moment for the meaning behind her words to register. “No, you wouldn’t spend a thing. We’d be spoiling you.”
The corners of her lips turn up as she takes a bite of her breakfast. “I’ve never had anyone spoil me before, let alone three gorgeous men.”
“Gorgeous, huh?” I wink at her.
“You guys really don’t mind?”
I bark out a laugh. “Mind? If you say no, I’ll spend the weekend heartbroken and miserable.”
“Oliver,” Rhett snaps. This look says, I’m going to fucking strangle you.
If Wren is put off by Rhett’s harsh tone, she doesn’t show it. Instead, she just laughs. “I’ll stay. Just as long as you’ll let me leave if I decide that I want to.”
I give her a grin. “Of course, princess. And I won’t actually be heartbroken if you decide to. Promise.” Lie.
As she takes a sip of her orange juice, her legs swing from her barstool excitedly. “So, where are we going shopping?”
“Oh, I have a few ideas.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
WREN
TURNS OUT, when Oliver said he had a “few ideas,” he meant some of the most expensive boutiques in the entire city. I feel completely out of place in a sea of high-quality fabrics, surrounded by three men who won’t stop looking at me like I’m their favorite thing in the world.
At the first shop, I grab something comfortable that I can wear for the whole day—including underwear, since I mysteriously couldn’t find mine this morning.
By the time we walk into the second shop, I’m not really sure what the point is. I already have plenty of clothes to get me through the weekend.
But all three of them insist, drowning out my protests with kisses and laughs.
When Elliot hands me a pretty lilac dress, I swallow. It’s just the type of thing I like to wear on hot summer days. But I usually get my dresses from the thrift store near my apartment.
And speaking of my apartment, I’m pretty sure this thing costs as much as my monthly rent, but I can’t find a goddamned price tag on any of these clothes.
“So?” Elliot pushes me toward the dressing room.
“Christ,” I mutter. “I don’t know why I keep speaking my thoughts out loud around you.”
He chuckles. “I think it’s endearing. Now go try it on. I think it’ll look nice on you.”
“You think anything looks nice on her,” Oliver chimes in, following closely behind us. He plops down next to Rhett, who’s lounging on the red leather couch outside the dressing rooms.
Rhett laughs, and I realize Elliot is giving Oliver a death glare. But I disappear into the dressing room and close the curtains before I see what happens next.
I slide out of my new clothes, admiring the softness of the simple v-neck shirt I picked out. When I pull on the dress, I have to smile.
It does look nice.
Getting the zipper up is easy since it’s on the side. I do a little twirl, watching myself in the mirror. It’s the perfect type of dress for a summer picnic.
I imagine myself on a soft blanket in the middle of a park, surrounded by Elliot, Oliver and Rhett. The thought makes me happy. But just as that warm feeling hits me, it turns cold.
“Don’t you dare catch feelings,” I whisper to myself, jabbing a finger at my reflection. I can’t invest my emotions in these three men.
Even if it’s just for a weekend.
Even if they all look at me like they want to keep me.
I just can’t end up with a broken heart again.
I take a deep breath, and the tears building at the backs of my eyes dissipate. My hands run down my sides, and my fingers snag on something at my hips.
I gasp.
“Wren?” I hear Elliot say. “Are you okay?”
I turn, ripping the curtains open with a grin. “It has pockets!”
WE STOP FOR a quick lunch at a small diner. I expect us to head to my apartment next, but when we all pile into the SUV, Elliot takes us in the opposite direction.
“Are we going to another store? You three are wild.”
Oliver is in the front seat, and he turns to give me a wink.
“Just so you’re aware,” Elliot says in a slightly annoyed voice, “this was completely Oliver’s idea.”
Rhett and I both give each other confused glances. I slide my hand onto his lap, and he only tenses for a moment before he covers it with his own.
When Elliot pulls into a parking spot a few minutes later, I only need to glance out at the storefront for a second before I burst into a fit of laughter.
Elliot seems relieved by my reaction, but Rhett still looks uneasy.
Oliver hops out of the car, opening my door and pulling me out. “I wanted to go here first, but someone insisted on getting you real clothes first.” He sticks his tongue out at Elliot.
I can’t help but giggle as we make our way inside. The boutique owner greets us, furrowing her brows at the sight of three men walking in with one woman, but I ignore the look.
“Oooh! I like this one.” Oliver grabs a cute bodysuit from a rack. It’s black, lacy, and— “Of course you’d go for the boob-less one,” Elliot mutters.
Both he and Rhett look a bit uncomfortable, while Oliver is like a kid in a candy store. Actually, that’s not quite right. I think Rhett might be literally frozen in place by the door.
“Hey,” I say, grabbing his hand and then Elliot’s. “Why don’t you two come with me.” I lead them to the back, where the dressing rooms are. They’re practically in their own room, probably for privacy’s sake, which is nice. “You two stay here, and Oliver and I will do the shopping. But don’t worry, you’ll still get to see everything I try on.”